So...Daily Drivers? (pre 1995)

[vacuumlad1650]

I got to thinking today. How many people here use Vintage (or at least pre 1995) vacuums as a daily driver/Go-To vacuum? I have 5, My Electrolux XXX For the above floor (LOOOOONG Hose), my Electrolux Lx for Nostalgia (fitted with aftermarket wheels so i can use it on bare-floor without mother getting upset), my Electrolux Silverado (Good on floors and rugs, but hose is too short for above floor), my Electrolux Diplomat Lx (Go-To canister since its so light) and my Electrolux Epic 3000 series upright. Its the only upright I really like! I always mix my other vacuums in now and then, but these are my main vacuums. What do you use?

 

[kenkart]

Right now

A Olympia from 1980, and a GE Upright from 1964.I switch them out, but I don't use anything newer than 1985,The newest thing I own is a New Constellation about 9 years old, I have used it, but not much, I have a 85 Filter Queen and a Silverado, but most of what I have is 50s and 60s stuff.

 

[universaldave1]

I vacuum and dust (but not power nozzle) my room every day with my Electrolux 1205. Yes, I know the dusting brush is for a G, but it's all I have that matches.

 

[coffeecanman]

Hoover Model 450 (the one on the left)

 

[caligula]

I love that room! Hoovers arent't too shabby either!

 

[paulinroyton]

Electrolux Z170

Been using my Electrolux Z170, nice and light.

 

[human]

Well, none of them are exactly "daily drivers". They're more like monthly drivers, if I'm lucky. Yes, most of you couldn't stand to walk into my house. Sorry.

That said, my first-in-line go-to is my Kirby G5, which is from 1996 or 97. I don't feel like getting up and checking the serial number to say for sure. Second to my G5 is the Electrolux 1205. I really like the Super J, but I just always seem to reach for the "Blue Beastie". Yikes! I've had that that thing for almost 12 years and it never had a name until just now. And for the record, it's my only vacuum that does.

It's surprising how little I use my two Kirby Gsixes. I guess it's because the G5 sits out in the bedroom and the Gsixes are tucked away in a closet with my Super J. Come to think of it, that probably also explains why my 1205 that lives in the laundry room is my number two vac.

 

[electrolux137]

~
~


For tanks & canisters, I cycle through all my machines (but mostly the Electroluxes) except for the very oldest ones that are fun to play with but not so much good for cleaning.


 


For uprights & power nozzles I rotate my Kirbys, Electroluxes with power nozzles, my customized Eureka upright and sometimes the Eureka that used to belong to Ellen DeGeneres!


 


Here are 20 of my favorites (that's the most that will fit into one posting!!).

 

[eurekaprince]

Which Eureka was owned by Ellen? I love her! How did you acquire it?

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Wow, lots of collectors here seem to use good vacuums. Ive recently started using my Electrolux G as my dad just came home from Surgery and has been sleeping a lot. the G is nice and Quiet, but powerful, but i cant use my new Plastic Wand pn1.

 

[mchmike]

These are my daily drivers I switch between the two by full bag . For fun I have a tan g and a turquoise g.

 

[citroenbx]

my vax 121 from 1990 used to clean out dyson's that I refurbish

 

[turbo500]

Paul, I love that 170! I've been using my z1020 a lot lately.

 

[turbo500]

And probably my favourite ever cylinder....Lux z2020.

 

[paulinroyton]

Electrolux Z504

Hi Chris.

I also love my Z504.

 

[tinytyke]

Mine aren't exactly "daily" drivers -- more like every five days (or so). These days, I'm using my Filter Queen 350. Love love love it, as the carpet tool works well not only on my area rugs, but on my wood floors! Two for one, and half the time! If (when) things get really bad, and they will occasionally, since I have a large dog and seven cats, I'll use either of my Hoovers -- the 700 and the 725.

Pictured below are the FQ 350 and the two Hoovers.

 

[sptyks]

And this beauty has been my daily driver for the last few weeks. It is my 1988 Kirby Heritage II Legend. Not only is she beautiful, but she is the most quiet to run. I do rotate my vacs so I'll probably be switching over to my Kirby Sentria soon. The Sentria is the easiest on my back because she has Tech Drive and maneuvers as if she is floating on a cushion of air. 

 

[Mike81]

Definitely my Volta U258 from 1988 (Electrolux 2000-series). It has excellent build quality, long hose, low noise level and good suction. It is also capable to run turbo brush at high speed, so it works on the all surfaces.
To give my carpets a deep clean I use my 11 years younger Kärcher commercial upright.

 

[pinkge]

Daily driver....

mine is my 1955 GE pink roll-around.Still works and cleans very well.

 

[Brandon]

Not daily but definitely weekly. My Electrolux has gone to pasture for lighter duties. Lol. As it is I had to replace the extention cord head today. Five minutes and it was back in action cleaning the interior of both vehicles. Sweet vacuum & MUCH quieter than the whole house vac.

 

[toastermike]

Here are my daily drivers- I use the 1990 Kirby Legend II on the first floor on a regular basis. I enjoy the relaxing sound it makes, and although it is heavier than all of my other vacs, it glides smoothly almost effortlesly when adjusted correctly. I use the two Royals mostly upstairs. The middle one is a 2028 built in early 2002 and is one of the last US made. The 880 on the right was made in April 1983. I was lucky to find it in nearly mint condition at my local Goodwill Outlet store. It is very lightweight to use but powerful with its 4.5 amp motor. I try to rotate my other uprights that are mostly Royals. When I need a canister I usually use my Filter Queen Limited Edition.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Depending on my mood/personality of the day,

I use these.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

This one

sees some activity too.


 

 

[eurekaprince]

John - I am curious about the shape of the motor hood on the Convertibles of the late 1970's. The one in the left in your first pic seems to have a very wide headlight and flatter "nose" than the version where the hood profile reaches out right to the front corners of the hood with a smaller headlight lens. Is it my imagination? Were there two versions of the sleeker one-piece hood? If yes, which came first? I actually love the profile on that generation of Convertibles!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

and

these

 

[turbo500]

Paul, I love that 504 too!! The Lux 500's & Twin Turbo's are my favourite uprights ever!

 

[vintagevaclover]

I like to alternate

Between several of my favourites:
-the red Hoover Concept One I just got
-a Hoover Dial-A-Matic
-a Kirby DS-80
-a Hoover Model 29
-an '80s Sanitaire Blue-Line
-a commercial Hoover Decade 80
-a blue Hoover Ranger Convertible
-a Hoover Model 67 Convertible
-and my Hoover Legacy 730 (no on board tools)

I also have a new Sanitaire Quiet-Kleen with an on board hose that the housekeeper uses when she comes because I don't really like her using any of my older machines and that one is easy to use, does an excellent job, and most importantly, bombproof lol. I also love to get out my commercial Hoover U7037 to use from time to time but it's really to big and heavy for everyday use.

 

[westyfan]

Now that I went through it...

I love my '61 model 561 Kirby. It just works so well now that I re-greased the bearings and put a new brush roll in it. I use it every week for about 2 hours straight as I vacuum the entire house and upholstery. Sometimes I dust with it too. I got the new Kirby "zipp brush" rotating upholstery tool and it works wonders on couches and pillows. Great for picking up stubborn cat hair. This vacuum is far from perfect but it is reliable and sounds great now that the bearings aren't dry. I also love the fact that the cord is long enough to reach every room on the bottom floor from one outlet! The motor never gets above "warm" and just keeps on singing. I'm actually trying to sell my 2 year old hoover that I bought because the plastic is always feeling wobbly and brittle and the retracting cord is already broken. Just utter junk! I would rather empty my bag onto a piece of newspaper than use that hunk of screeching junk! It would be nice to be able to use a disposable bag though. I'm sure somebody could guide me to a quick conversion like how the tradition works or something.

 

[paulinroyton]

Electrolux

@Turbo 500

Hi Chris. I love the Electrolux 500 range vacs. I have a 502 & 506. They have all outlived my Miele upright vac that fell to bits.

Cheers

Paul